Keep right on going, Eye...
That's how the skills will be aquired. Good tools help, but they won't make you a master by themselves. It takes many projects where you can learn about techniques AND wood, as well as tools. With practice it all comes together.
Woodworking is my favorite hobby, and something I did professionally for a time... I'd suggest a book on jigs and fixtures to help you approach cuts/joinery. Many of these are geared toward power tools, but there are tricks useful to all woodworking and carpentry.
Did you try to use a straight-edge to guide your handsaw on those lap joints? A good piece of hardwood clamped across the piece won't mar you saw... try subsituting a knife instead of a pencil for layout. It's thinner (more accurate) and will provide a small "kerf" to start your saw. And try and cut multiple pieces at once...
For example: clamp 2 of those pieces side-by-side on a bench and clamp another piece of hardwood across as a straightedge, then use a knife to start the cut... you can do pretty good w/ that old Home Depot saw.
Most processes are helped w/ an aid of some kind-- even a task as simple as drilling a hole... a common piece of masking tape on a drill bit for a depth gauge helps, for example.
These are tricks we all use.
But keep at it... and read! Get a magazine subscription... don't spend money on those japanese saws just yet. Buy some wood and get some books instead.
Just keep at it...
